iACADEMY

The 2025 Red Cross Youth Summit in Makati marked another milestone in the continuing partnership among iACADEMY, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Philippine Red Cross, as the institutions once again demonstrated the power of shared purpose, community mobilization, and measurable impact through Dugtong Buhay Movement. Held with the active participation of private schools across Makati, the summit emphasized disaster preparedness, youth volunteerism, and the importance of coordinated action in strengthening community health.

This year’s summit gathered students, volunteers, and administrators guided by Raquel Perez-Wong, Chief Operating Officer and President of iACADEMY, Joanna Caneo, iACADEMY’s Assistant Vice President for Administration and School Principal Paolo Antonio Noceda, President of the Asosasyon ng mga Pribadong Paaralan ng Makati, Inc. and the whole iACADEMY Community, who encouraged young leaders to champion readiness and resilience. The event expanded on the momentum built during last year’s Dugtong Buhay Movement hosted by iACADEMY, where the institution moved beyond serving as a venue and became a vital contributor to nationwide voluntary blood donation efforts.

The Department of Budget and Management strengthened national community-health initiatives by immersing students in hands-on activities that encouraged active youth participation in public service. The Philippine Red Cross further enriched this experience through basic life support training, which students were able to apply during the event. Two competitions, an elementary poster-making contest and a high school advocacy video contest, offered avenues for learners to translate their insights into meaningful creative outputs. The participation of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police, who also served as one of the blood donors during the program, reinforced the collective effort to empower the youth in championing safety, crisis readiness, and community care.

Through this ongoing partnership, iACADEMY continues to demonstrate how academic institutions can expand their impact by opening their doors, activating their networks, and fostering a culture of beyond better volunteerism. Together with Dugtong Buhay Movement and the Philippine Red Cross, iACADEMY remains committed to building a safer, more resilient generation equipped to lead and serve.